John Olney to Richard Yates

Shawneetown, Gallatin County Illinois

To His Excellency

Richard Yates,

Gov Illinois

Sir: Stephen Price a colored man who was born and raised in this City, wishes permission to raise a company of Colored men to go into the Regiment of Colored men now forming in this State

He can read and write and has excellent capacity, for commanding. Is a very shrewd, and sensible man---prudent and yet as brave as any man. He can raise a Company in two weeks and have them ready to start for place of rendezvous in that time.

Bryant Smith another Colored man of this place I am informed has received permission to raise a Company. Two companies can be raised almost immediately

in this and adjoining Counties.

I recommend Stephen Price as more suitable to get up and command a military Company than any Colored man I ever knew.

He awaits anxiously the answer to this.

If you authorize him to raise a company, please send instructions---and where to rendezvous---how to get there, and when to go. I dont think it will take him four days after he gets authority

Very Respectfully

Your obd't. serv't.

John Olney.

Olney John

Shawneetown Ills

Jany 1864.

Recommends Stephen Price & Bryant Smith to recruit for Colored Regiment.

Answered Jan 8th 1864 authorizing Col Olney to appoint recruiting officers to assist Price & Smith and Enclosed appointment of Smith and Price as recruiting Officers signed by Capt [Bross?] and approved by Govr. Yates.

Informed Olney that no commissioned positions were given colored men but that they should if successful in recruiting have highest non-commissioned rank

Loomis,

A.D.C

Executive Office Jany 8 1864